"But you [Timothy], keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5
There are two words in the bible that are not commonly used today in the church: they are, endure and hardship. But to these, the minister of the gospel is called. To the early apostles, it was inconceivable to do ministry avoiding them. In fact, ministry was to them synonymous with these. You could not do the work of ministry and not encounter them. Faith, to the apostles, was a call to enduring hardship. This can be understood because the work of ministry is a calling into the most fierce conflict: conflict with the forces of darkness.
Are you facing a situation that is unpleasant in the cause of doing what God has called you to do for His honour? Endure it. The strength to endure comes from knowing that the Lord is in the situation with you, and that He is honoured by your bearing up with that difficult situation. And above all, you know that a day is coming when the Lord will reward you for everything that you have endured for His name sake. Think of the day when you will hear from the lips of your Saviour, "Well done good and faithful servant". All the hardships that you endured, which were for a while, will, in that day, translate into an eternal bliss. So, remember, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". 2 Corinthians 4:17.
There are two words in the bible that are not commonly used today in the church: they are, endure and hardship. But to these, the minister of the gospel is called. To the early apostles, it was inconceivable to do ministry avoiding them. In fact, ministry was to them synonymous with these. You could not do the work of ministry and not encounter them. Faith, to the apostles, was a call to enduring hardship. This can be understood because the work of ministry is a calling into the most fierce conflict: conflict with the forces of darkness.
Are you facing a situation that is unpleasant in the cause of doing what God has called you to do for His honour? Endure it. The strength to endure comes from knowing that the Lord is in the situation with you, and that He is honoured by your bearing up with that difficult situation. And above all, you know that a day is coming when the Lord will reward you for everything that you have endured for His name sake. Think of the day when you will hear from the lips of your Saviour, "Well done good and faithful servant". All the hardships that you endured, which were for a while, will, in that day, translate into an eternal bliss. So, remember, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". 2 Corinthians 4:17.
Toni
